Anthony Bonomo, Jr. ’09

Alumni, 10 Under 10

“There were so many classes I took at Adelphi where the subjects didn’t directly pertain to what I thought I would do after graduating, but I left with so many new ideas and perspectives.”

Anthony Bonomo, Jr. has advice for current Adelphi students. “Pick a major that you find interesting. Choose a career based on what you will enjoy doing every day, not on the money you are going to make.”

Bonomo, Jr.’s own passions have driven his career choices. Directly after college, he followed his long-standing dream of training horses. “Since I was a freshman at Adelphi, it was all I wanted to do,” said Bonomo, Jr., who had gained years of experience from working at Belmont Park during his summers in high school.

After Adelphi, he went on to train racehorses in both Kentucky and New York. “It was so interesting learning just how many things are involved in one horse…getting a horse to the races, getting the right equipment,” he said. “There is so much that goes into getting a horse perfect to run.”

As much as he loved the work and felt it was an important opportunity he had to pursue, after two years—of being up at 3:30 in the morning and not coming home until 8:00 in the evening, seven days a week, for months at a time—Bonomo, Jr. said he was ready to move on to the next step of his career.

In 2011, he secured a financial position at a Roslyn-based insurance company, where he eventually rose to vice president of operations and budget for the company. In this role he gained experience overseeing daily activities and expenditures and was responsible for lowering department spending and managing budget compliance.

Equipped with invaluable experience he gained from his role in the corporate sector, Bonomo, Jr. felt prepared to follow his interest in the world of politics. He joined the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, the New York State agency that was created to provide financial aid to homeowners who were affected by Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and Superstorm Sandy.

Executive assistant to Jon Kaiman, advisor to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Bonomo, Jr. serves as a main contact for both elected officials and homeowners. When asked about his favorite part of his work, he responded: the impact he can help make. “I work with a group of people who come together to figure out how we can better serve the community that has been affected,” he said. “The most rewarding part of my work is being a part of a team that comes up with ideas that will positively impact thousands of homeowners.”

Bonomo, Jr. said his experience with the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery has given him insight and knowledge as to what is currently working on a policy level. “I would love for this to be my first step into the political world. I hope to one day run for an elected office, on the state or federal level,” he said. “I would be honored to take on the role of representing a district and bringing aid to those in need.” In preparation for a career in politics, he began classes at St. John’s University School of Law in fall 2015.

His fervor for exploring opportunities in the different areas that intrigue him was fostered at the University. “There were so many classes I took at Adelphi where the subjects didn’t directly pertain to what I thought I would do after graduating, but I left with so many new ideas and perspectives,” he said.